Microstructure formulation techniques for botulinum toxin

Abstract

The microstructure formulation techniques for botulinum toxin according to the present invention make it possible to precisely control the concentration of botulinum toxin and to alleviate the pain occurring when botulinum toxin is administered into the human body, and also enable botulinum toxin to be accurately administered to a desired position. Thus, the present invention is expected to greatly contribute to the safe and convenient medical use of botulinum toxin.

We claim: 
     
       1. A microstructure selected from the group consisting of a microneedle, a microblade, a microknife, a microfiber, a microspike, a microprobe, a microbarb, a microarray, and a microelectrode, wherein the microstructure is precoated with polyvinyl alcohol and coated with a botulinum toxin composition comprising a botulinum toxin selected from the group consisting of botulinum toxin type A, B, C, D, E, F and G, a thickener and a stabilizer,
 wherein the thickener is any one or more selected from the group consisting of carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt, sodium alginate, hyaluronic acid, methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and 
 wherein the stabilizer is any one or more selected from the group consisting of trehalose, methionine, and sodium phosphate. 
 
     
     
       2. A method for coating a microstructure with a botulinum toxin composition, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) precoating the microstructure, wherein the microstructure is selected from the group consisting of a microneedle, a microblade, a microknife, a microfiber, a microspike, a microprobe, a microbarb, a microarray, and a microelectrode with polyvinyl alcohol; 
 (b) mixing a botulinum toxin selected from the group consisting of botulinum toxin type A, B, C, D, E, F and G, a thickener and a stabilizer to obtain a mixture; and 
 (c) dipping the precoated object of step (a) into the mixture of step (b), followed by drying, 
 wherein the thickener is any one or more selected from the group consisting of carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt, sodium alginate, hyaluronic acid, methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and 
 wherein the stabilizer is any one or more selected from the group consisting of trehalose, methionine, and sodium phosphate. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the polyvinyl alcohol is used in an amount of 0.5 to 10 wt %. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the exterior of the microstructure is precoated with polyvinyl alcohol.